Pressure sensitive tape segment applicator



Nov. 30, 1965 KAPLAN ETAL PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE SEGMENT APPLICATOR .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1962 H ML.

o VE/VTORS lfiVlAl KAPLAN HE/KO 71' DE MAN ATTORNEKS 1965 KAPLAN ETAL I RESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE SEGMENT APPLICATOR TOR/VE Y5 1965 1. KAPLAN ETAL PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE SEGMENT APPLICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 8, 1962 IIIIJ'! III mm N 04 A TL M MM 5 W 0 /M m WHY W. a fl n m O O IL L @Wl 2% United States Patent 3,220,909 PRESSURE SENSITHVE TAPE SEGMENT APPLICATOR Irving Kaplan, El Cerrito, and Heiko T. de Man, Moraga,

Califi, assignors to Trig-A-Tape Corp., Berkeley, Calif.,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,807 16 Claims. (Cl. 156386) This invention relates to devices for dispensing and applying pressure sensitive tape segments or labels to a surface, and in some instances printing on the labels, in response to a single band operation, and is particularly directed to such a device which, while being of relatively simple economical construction, is extremely efficient, versatile, and durable in operation.

Various devices are known for stripping segments from a roll of pressure sensitive adhesive tape, or the like, and applying the segments to a surface. The segments may be pro-printed, or a fixed message mprinted thereon by means of a rubber stamp or the like subsequent to application of the segment to the surface, the applied segments thus serving as labels. One existing device of this type, moreover, such as is disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,764,934, is arranged to print upon the tape segments during the application thereof to a surface. Generally, tape segment applying devices of the generic category mentioned above have included -a casing With ahand gripping aperture and a tape spool support positioned rearwardly of the aperture. An operating handle extends from a horizontal pivot in the front end of the casing rea-rwardly into the hand gripping aperture such that the handle may be raised and lowered about the pivot. In response to movement of the handle a driving roll arranged to feed a segment of tape from a spool positioned on the support forwardly into the path of a reciprocable plunger and cut-off knife at the front end of the casing. In further response to movement of the handle the plunger moves into contact with the tape segment fed into its path by the driving roll, the cut-off knife severing the segment from the tape and the plunger urging the segment into adhering contact with a surface. Where the device is of the type mentioned hereinbefore that is arranged to also print on the tape segment, a printing head is carried on the plunger to imprint the segment as the head urges the segment against the surface.

In prior tape segment applicator devices it has heretofore been the practice to actuate the driving roll by means of a rack coupled to a lever extending downwardly from the horizontal pivot and fixed to the handle. The rack Was in turn adapted to mesh with a ratchet wheel fixed to the driving roll such that upon raising of the handle the rack engaged the ratchet wheel to effect incremental tape feeding rotation of the driving roll. It has been found that the pressure imparted to the rack results in undue wear on its teeth and those of the ratchet Wheel. The wear is suflicient after extended use of the device to effect an inconsistent feeding of tape. In addition, a jamming could readily occur between the rack and ratchet wheel teeth of the prior applicator devices to thus prevent their reliable operation.

The applicating plungers of previous tape segment applicator devices have been commonly spring loaded for movement in the direction of the tape segment to sever and apply it by impact. Such plunger driving means necessarily involve substantial criticality of adjustment of spring compression to produce an optimum driving force. If the plunger impact is too light, the tape segment is not cleanly severed nor reliably applied to the surface. If the plunger comes down too hard where a printing head is employed the type splays out giving a blurred impression on the tape segment. Moreover, spring loaded plunger arrangements have derived the impact spring compression from movement of the operating handle such that compression of sufficient proportions to effect the desired tape severing and applying operations increased the handle pressure thus introducing a human fatigue factor. Also a rather complex and delicate timing mechanism operable from the handle was required to trip the plunger at the proper time.

With the foregoing and other disadvantageous factors and shortcomings in mind, we have provided an improved tape segment applicator device wherein they are eliminated and which provides other advantages over existing devices of this type.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure sensitive adhesive tape segment applicator device having tape feeding means of a relatively simple construction which produces negligible wear between the Working parts whereby long term consistent tape feeding service is obtained.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved plunger driving arrangement in a tape segment applicator device wherein the plunger drive force is derived directly and continuously from the hand pressure applied to the operating handle.

As a principal advantage of the improved plunger driving arrangement the plunger force is gradual and may be regulated at will by the users hand to effect severing of the tape segment and application thereof in a more directly controllable manner. In embodiments of the device where a printing head is carried by the plunger the improved driving arrangement also facilitates the attainment of a clean printed impression on the applied tape segments. The improved plunger driving arrangement, moreover, is mechanically more efiicient and much easier on the users hand than plunger driving means of prior applicator devices.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tape segment applicator device which features an improved stripper arrangement of simplified construction to free the end of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll from the cut-off assembly for subsequent feeding of tape after each tape segment application cycle.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide cooperating cut-off knife elements of improved design for more efiiciently severing tape in a device of the class described.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a tape segment applicator device of the class described having an applicating plunger carrying a printing head to facilitate printing upon the tape segments during the application thereof to a surface.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described having a printing head which includes a set of movable type setting bands to enable the user to change printed markings conveniently and quickly.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described having a printing head incorporated therein adapted to automatically print consecutive numbers on the respective tape segments applied thereby.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the class described having a plunger and associated mechanism adapted to fold the tape segments over a pair of edges of paper or around an object during application thereof.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a device of the class described which may be adapted to facilitate application of tape segments to individual layers of cloth, paper, and other surfaces Where there is no firm backing provided by the surface itself.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view with portions broken away of a tape segment applicator device in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section view of the device of FIGURE 1 taken at a vertical center line plane and with the operating handle in unactuated position.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but taken in a plane transversely offset from the vertical center line plane and with the operating handle in actuated position.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, illustrating particularly the releasable latch means for the tape roll casing and guide channel of the device.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken at line 55 of FIGURE 2, illustrating particularly details of the tape feed mechanism of the device.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken at line 66 of FIGURE 2, illustrating particularly one form of applicating plunger which may be utilized in the device, such plunger carrying a printing head which includes a set of movable type setting bands whereby the type may be quickly and readily changed.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary Sectional View taken at line 77 of FIGURE 3, illustrating particularly the tape stripping mechanism of the device.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 8-8 of FIGURE 3, illustrating further details of the printing head which may be employed in the device.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 99 of FIGURE 3, illustrating particularly details of an improved cut-off mechanism employed in the device.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary elevation view of a modified form of tape segment applicator device in accordance with the invention for facilitating the application of tape segments to flexible or semi-flexible layers of material.

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal centerline section view through the applicating plunger guide portion of a device in accordance with the present invention having a modified form of plunger and printing head arranged to automatically print consecutive numbers on successively applied tape segments.

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 but illustrating another modified form of plunger and printing head arranged to accommodate large multi-line printing slu s.

F IGURE 14 is a view similar to FIGURES l2 and 13 but illustrating still another modified form of plunger which is arranged to apply the tape segments over mating sheet edges or the like to secure them together or around objects.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken at line 15-45 of FIGURE 14.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGURE 1 in particular, there is provided a pressure sensitive adhesive tape segment applicator device including a body housing member 11 having transversely spaced sides 12, 13 and interconnecting front and top walls 14, 16 therebetween. A peripherally walled hand aperture 17 extends through the sides of the housing inthe rearward portion thereof to define a handle 18 between the upper portion of the aperture and top wall 16. In the construction of the housing, one side 12, the front and top walls 14, 16 and hand aperture walls may be advantageously integrally formed. The other side 13 may then be attached as by means of screws 15 or equivalent fasteners threadably engaging spacer bushings 20 transversely projecting from side 12 at several locations thereof.

The body housing 11 is preferably formed with a rearward extension plate 19 coextensive with one side, e.g., side 12. A tape spool core supporting stud 25 is mounted upon the extension 19 to project transversely therefrom, such stud serving to pivotally receive a spool core 21 for mounting a spool 22 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape or the like. The core 21 projects transversely from a tape casing 23 such that a removable pivotal connection of the casing is facilitated by the core engaging the stud. The casing has a flange 24 which extends in irregular convolute form to provide an upper section 26 concentric with the core 21 and otherwise eccentric at the heel 27, wherein it merges into an extended channel guide 28.

The leading strip of tape on spool 22, with its adhesive downwardly directed, is guided from the spool and through the channel. In this regard it is important to note that the tape is guided under one bushing 20a projecting transversely from side 12 at a point substantially longitudinally opposite the heel 27 of the casing and then centrally along the channel. The bushing thus serves as a guide pin for the tape. The tape passes over knurled rolls 31 disposed at the forward end of the channel and mounted for rotation about a transverse axis in a manner subsequently described. A strip 32 extends transversely across the end of the channel slightly forward from the rolls 31. The strip has a central upper edge portion ground to define a cutting blade 33. The strip is also provided with upstanding ears 34 projecting from the opposite ends of the blade, the ears being rearwardly arched or inclined, as best shown in FIGURE 2, to provide resilient camming surfaces for purposes subsequently de scribed. The cars facilitate guiding of the tape over the cutting edge disposed therebetween.

It should also be noted that the channel is adapted to be brought into overlapping closing relation to the bottom edges of the housing sides 12, 13. More specifically, the sides 12, 13 are provided with vertical slots 35 in their bottom edges to receive the ears 34 of transverse trip 32 at the forward end of the casing. In addition, pairs of tongues 36, 37 project upwardly from the opposite sides of the channel for riding over the bottom edges of the housing. One pair of tongues 36 have cutouts 38 for engagement with spring pressed button operated latches or detents 39 secured interiorly adjacent the sides of the housing. Thus when the channel is closed against the bottom of housing the latches engage the cutouts to releasably lock the channel thereto. When the latches are depressed, the channel may be pivoted rearwardly downward about the stud 25 and the casing 23 removed therefrom to facilitate insertion of a new spool of tape on the core 21 and leading of the tape through the channel. The channel may then be latched in closed condition to appropriately position the tape at the underside of the housing. In addition, to minimize longitudinal displacement of the channel relative to the housing and insure proper positioning of the blade 33, a pair of recesses 40 are provided on the housing sides 12, 13 to be engaged by vertical tabs 41 projecting upwardly from the sides of the guide 28. The lugs are positioned closely rearwardly adjacent the slots 35 and the tabs engage the lugs at their rearward edges. Hence a longitudinal clamping effect is obtained by the ears 34 of strip 32 engaging the slots 35 and tabs engaging the lugs. The strip 32 defines with the sides and front wall of housing 11, a bottom opening 42.

The tape as oriented along the base of housing 11 by the channel 28 in closed latched position is brought against a guide plate or shoe 43 secured transversely of the housing 11. The guide plate is provided with slots 44 through which tape drive rolls 46 of a tape feeding mechanism 47 project into contact with the back of tape in the channel. The drive rolls 46 are mounted for rotation about a transverse axis in response to upward movement of a manual power applying handle 48. The handle is coupled to the mechanism 47 and is secured by a horizontal pivot 49 within the forward end of housing 11 to extend rearwardly therefrom into an accessible position within the aperture 17 in opposed hand gripping relation to handle 48. The rotation of the drive rolls 46 effected by upward movement of the handle imparts a forward movement to the tape in channel 28 which displaces a leading segment of the tape over the bottom opening 42.

The operating handle 48 is also coupled in actuating relation to a plunger 51 mounted for vertical reciprocation within the forward end of the housing through the bottom opening 42. The plunger carries a knife blade member 52 transversely across its lower end and ears 53, 54 project laterally from the member through slots 35 in the sides of the housing 11. The ears 53, 54 in sliding in the slots 35 guide the blade member 52 into appropriate cutting relation with blade 33 upon downward movement of the plunger. The actuating mechanism 56 for the plunger is arranged such that in response to raising of the operating handle 43, the plunger moves downwardly through the bottom opening 42 to contact the leading segment of tape moved thereacross by the just prior actuation of the feed rolls 46. The lower end face of the plunger is arranged to be somewhat advanced below the blade member 52. Accordingly the tape segment is urged by the lower end face of the plunger into adhering contact with an underlying surface and closely subsequent to this action the blade member 52 in bearing against the blade strip 37 severs the segment from the remainder of the tape extended through the channel.

It will be appreciated that the tape segment applicator device generally described hereinbefore is in basic respects similar to existing devices of a similar type. Various particularly salient departures from conventional design, however, are incorporated in the internal operating mechanisms of the device, particularly the tape feeding mechanism 47, plunger actuating mechanism 56, and in tape severing and disengaging means subsequently described, which result in over-all simplification in design and improved results and advantages of the type mentioned previously herein.

Considering now in detail the preferred structure of the tape feeding mechanism 47 in accordance with the present invention, it is particularly important to note that such mechanism is arranged for minimum wear between the elements thereof as well as preelusion of possible jamming. The improved feed mechanism includes an elongated actuating arm 57 pivotally secured to the operating handle 48 rearwardly of pivot 49 as shown at 58. The arm depends from its pivotal connection 58 at the handle into the interior of housing 11 and is joined with a forwardly projecting ratchet tooth 59 at its lower end (see FIGURE 2). The tooth is disposed rearwardly adjacent an actuating gear assembly 61 journalled for rotation about a transverse axis between the sides of housing 11 in overlying relation to the drive rolls 46. More particularly, gear assembly 61 preferably includes a pair of transversely spaced spur gear portions 62 with a ratchet wheel portion 63 interposed therebetween, all gear portions being integrally rotatable. The ratchet tooth 59 is resiliently urged forwardly and held in engagement with ratchet wheel portion 63 as by means of a spring 64 secured between an intermediate point of the arm 57 and a partition 66 secured transversely between the housing walls 12, 13 rearwardly adjacent the slots 35. The spur gear portions 62 of the actuating gear assembly mesh with a spur gear portion 67 secured between the drive rolls 46 and integrally rotatable therewith. In addition, a reverse rotation preventing pawl 68 projects forwardly from a base 69 on the upper surface of shoe 43 6 to resiliently engage the spur gear portion 67 of the drive roll assembly. Thus upon rotating the operating handle 48 upwardly about the pivot 49 towards the handle 18 between limits imposed by spacer bushing 20a and another bushing 20b rearwardly adjacent the upper end of hand aperture 17, the actuating arm 57 is correspondingly urged upwardly from the position depicted in FIG- URE 2 to that depicted in FIGURE 3. The ratchet tooth 59 in turn incrementally rotates the actuating gear assembly 61 by virtue of the ratchet wheel portion 63 thereof being engaged by the tooth. The spur gear portions 62 of the gear assembly 61 being meshed with the spur gear portion 67 of the drive roll assembly correspondingly elfect incremental rotation of the drive rolls 46 in a tape feeding direction. The pawl 68 in engagement with spur gear portion 67 now prevents reverse rotation of the drive rolls and therefore of the actuating gear assembly 61 during a return stroke of the handle 48 to its lower position. During the return stroke the ratchet tooth 59 disengages from the originally engaged tooth of the ratchet Wheel portion 63. The spring 64 urges the ratchet tooth into engagement with another tooth of the ratchet wheel displaced in a contra rotational direction from the original tooth, this action occurring in the manner of a conventional ratchet. It will be appreciated that by virtue of the cushioning effect of spring 64, contact pressure between the ratchet tooth and ratchet wheel portion of the drive gear assembly is relieved. Wear between these components is consequently of a relatively low order.

It will be recalled that previously the plungers of tape applicating machines of the general type of the present invention have been spring loaded for impact movement downwardly into contact with the tape. Where the plunger is provided with a printing head such spring loaded impact movement is particularly disadvantageous from the standpoint of the impact pressure being of such proportions as to blur the copy imprinted on the tape. To overcome this difiiculty the plunger actuating mechanism 56 of the present invention is arranged to effect movement of plunger 51 under the direct control of the hand pressure applied to handle 48. More specifically, the actuating mechanism 56 includes an integral lever arm extension 71 of the actuating handle 48. The extension projects forwardly of the pivot 49 at an angle to the handle proper so as to be substantially horizontal when the handle is downwardly inclined in its normal lowered position in the hand aperture 17. A link arm 72 is pivotally connected to the end of extension 71 and depends therefrom into pivotal connection with the upper end of the plunger 51, a cross pin 73 or the like securing the link arm to the plunger for pivotal movement about a transverse axis. The plunger 51 itself is freely reciprocable within a vertical channel defined between the partition plate 66, mounted transversely between the opposite sides of the housing, and the front wall 14 thereof, such channel being aligned with the bottom opening 42. Thus the position of the plunger within the channel, and plunger movement therealong, is entirely determined by the position and movement of the handle 48 by virtue of the direct connective linkage therebetween. When the handle is raised about the pivot 49, the lever extension 71 pivots downwardly with the link arm 72 urging the plunger downwardly through the channel and bottom opening 42 at the upper limit of handle movement. Return of the handle to its lower limit pivots the extension 71 upwardly to retract the plunger. The handle is resiliently retained at its lower limit as by means of a torsion spring 74 concentrically disposed about the pivot 49 and acting between the top wall 16 of the housing and upper edge of the handle at a point spaced rearwardly from the pivot. The spring 74 thus normally urges the handle downwardly into engagement with bushing 20a establishing the lower limit of handle movement.

Considering now in greater detail the knife blade mem- .ture.

her 52 carried by plunger 51 to coact with the lower fixed knife edge 33 to sever the tape, it is of importance to note that member 52 is preferably of a construction which facilitates a clean shearing cut of the tape. To this end, blade member 52 is advantageously provided as a resilient leaf of spring steel or the like. The member 52 has a transversely elongated lower portion 76 with a coextensive central rectangular tongue portion 77 inwardly spaced from the lateral ends of the lower portion and projecting therefrom. The ends of lower portion 76 projecting transversely beyond the tongue thus define the cars 53, 54 of previous mention. The tongue portion 77 includes a central rectangular aperture 78 with its lower edge adjacent lower portion 76. The two parallel tongue side strip sections 79 thus defined by the aperture and projecting upwardly from the lower portion render the tongue quite resilient. The tongue is secured at its upper end to a rearwardly projecting bracket 81 of the plunger, the over-all blade member 52 depending therefrom. The lower edge of lower portion '76 is sharpened to define a cutting edge 82, which edge is inclined from one ear 53 towards the other ear 54. With lower portion 76 thus resiliently supported upon the plunger by means of tongue portion 77, the dimensions of the over-all member 52 are chosen such that the cutting edge 82 is everywhere slightly upwardly displaced from the lower end face of the plunger. In addition it should be noted that the lower portion 76 of the blade member 52 is inclined relative to the tongue portion 77 thereof in a rearward direction towards the lower knife strip 33. Thus it will be appreciated that upon downward movement of the plunger the lower portion 76 of member 52 is first resiliently urge-d by tongue portion '77 against the inclined camming surfaces of ears 34, the cutting edge 82 being in engagement therewith. As the plunger moves further downward, the ear camming surfaces urge the blade member 52 forwardly against the resilient force thereof. Such resilient force is hence now manifested in maintaining the cutting edge 82 in extremely close contact with knife strip 32 as cutting edge 82 moves downwardly past cutting edge 33. As a result of this resilient forcing action as well as of the in-,

'clination of cutting edge 82, an extremely favorable clean shearing cut-off of the tape segment fed into the bottom opening 42 is effected.

Subsequent to severing of the tape there is a tendency for the leading end of the tape extending from the spool to adhere to the fixed cutting blade'33. Inasmuch .as such adherence of the tape would interfere with the feeding of another segment into the bottom opening 42 in response to another actuating cycle of the handle, means must be provided to release the tape from the blade 33. Previously such means have been relatively complex and readily susceptible to damage. However, in the present device an extremely simple and durable release mechanism is employed to free the tape from the blade 33. More specifically, the release means is provided as a single resilient leaf yoke 83 of spring steel or the like which is secured to the base of channel 28 at a position rearwardly of blade 33. The yoke extends forwardly to substantially the blade and by virtue of the resiliency of the yoke its free or forward end is upwardly sprung. The yoke is generally rectangular and includes a forwardly disposed aperture 84 defining a leading transverse edge strip 86 between longitudinal side strips 87. A central tongue 88 projects rearwardly from transverse strip 86in spaced parallel relation to the side strips. Tongue 88 is curved arcuately downward while side strips 87 are formed with arcuate depressions 89 in transverse alignment with the center of tongue curva- A cross pin 91 is disposed within depressions 89 and extends under tongue 88 to be thereby secured to the yoke transversely of the aperture 84. The pin 91 serves to journal the rolls 31 of previous mention in slightly rearwardly spaced relation to the leading edge strip 86. The rolls 31 being thus mounted upon the yoke are resiliently urged upward into engagement with the drive rolls 46 and serve to clamp the tape in the guide channel 28 in tractive relation therewith. This tractive relationship between the drive rolls and tape as facilitated by the rolls 31 can be advantageously increased by the provision of rims 92 :of rubber or the like concentrically mounted upon the drive rolls. Aside from the foregoing function of the yoke 83 it is to be noted that the leading edge strip 86 of the yoke resiliently engages the underside of the tape adjacent the blade 33. After a tape cutting action at blade 33, the yoke edge strip 86 springs the tape from the blade to free the tape for subsequent feeding and thus accomplishes the tape stripping action mentioned hereinbefore. The yoke may serve the further function of guiding tape through channel 28 by the inclusion of a pair of transversely spaced upright ears 93 as integral portions of the yoke adjacent its fixed end.

In the over-all operation of the tape segment applicator device physically described hereinbefore, the channel 28 is released from the detents 39 and together with the casing 23 is pivoted downwardly. The casing is removed from the extension plate 19 of the housing and a spool 22 of tape is placed upon the core 21. The core is then placed on stud 20 to pivotally attach the casing 23 to the housing extension plate 19. The tape is led under bushing 20a and forwardly along the channel 28 over the rolls 31. The channel is then closed adjacent the bottom of housing 11 and the detents 39 engaged in the tongue cutouts 38. The resiliency of yoke 83 upon which the rolls 31 are mounted urges them against the adhesive bottom surface of the tape. The top surface of the tape is in turn urged against the tractive rims 92 of drive rolls 46. Thus the leading end of the tape is resiliently tractively clamped between rolls 31 and drive rolls 64.

A cycle of tape segment applications may now be commenced by positioning the bottom opening 42 in overlying relation to a surface to which the segment is to be applied. To facilitate such positioning in cases where a rigid backing surface is available, padded feet 94 may be included to project laterally of the lower end of housing sides 12, 13 forwardly of slots 35. The actuating handle 48 is squeezed by hand pressure upwardly towards handle 18. As a result, the arm 57 is moved upwardly andthe ratchet tooth 59 in engagement with the ratchet wheel portion 63 of the drive gear assembly 61 effects incremental rotation thereof. By virtue of the spur gear portions .62 of the assembly 61 being in engagement with the spur gear portion 67 of the drive rolls, the latter are incrementally rotated to feed the tape forwardly a predetermined distance through the channel 28. The leading end of the tape is hence driven across the bottom opening 42. Wear between the ratchet tooth and ratchet wheel during the tape feeding operation is reduced by the cushioning effect of the spring 64, as discussed hereinbefore.

At the same time the plunger 51, due to mechanism 56, is urged downwardly under the direct control of, and with a force determined by, the hand pressure applied to handle 48. By the time the lower end of the plunger has reached the bottom opening 42 of the housing, the leading end of the tape has already been fed thereacross. Thus the bottom end of the plunger contacts the leading end of the'tape and forces it against the desired underlying surface. The pressure of the plunger causes the tape to adhere to the surface. Just subsequent to the applying operation effected by the plunger, the knife member 52 moves into cutting engagement with the knife edge 33 to sever the applied leading end of tape from the remainder of the strip as a segment or label. As soon as the segment is severed, the leading end of the remaining tape strip is forced out of adhering contact with the knife 33 by the leading edge strip 86 of resilient yoke 83, thus freeing the tape for further feeding. Upon release of handle 48 the spring 74 urges same downwardly to its normal position to retract the plunger 51 and move the actuating arm 57 to its initial position. During the return stroke of the arm, the pawl 68 engages the spur gear portion 67 of the drive roll assembly thus preventing undesirable reverse rotation of the drive rolls 46 as well as of the drive gear assembly 61 meshed therewith.

In some instances the surface to which a tape segment is to be applied may be flexible and therefore of itself incapable of supporting the segment applying force of the plunger 51. For example, it is often desirable to attach tape segments to individual layers of cloth, paper, etc., where there is no firm backing to facilitate the application of pressure to the segment. The device of the present invention may be modified as depicted in FIG- URES and 11 to accommodate such surfaces. More specifically, a rigid base 96 may be provided secured to the underside of channel 28 to project forwardly therefrom into underlying relation to bottom opening 42. A pair of leaf springs 97 are secured to base 96 adjacent the forward end of the channel 28 with the free ends of the springs projecting longitudinally forward along the sides of the base. The springs 97 hold material inserted thereunder in place against the base 96. The device may then be actuated in the manner mentioned hereinbefore to feed a segment of tape forwardly from the channel 28 and transversely between the springs 97 in overlying relation to the material supported on the base. The plunger 51 moves downward against the tape segment to apply same 'to the material as rigidly supported on the base and cut ithe segment from the remainder of the tape strip. It will of course 'be appreciated that in the present modified embodiment the stroke of the plunger is slightly lengthened such that the bottom end of the plunger contacts the base at the lower limit of plunger reciprocation.

It will be appreciated that the applicator plunger 51 may be employed in the tape segment applicator device of the present invention to effect a variety of advantageous functions additional to the application of a tape segment to a surface. The plunger may, for example, be arranged to carry a printing head whereby selected indicia is printed upon the tape segments during their application to a surface by the plunger. In this regard a plunger carrying a particularly advantageous form of printing head as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 8 may be employed to facilitate rapid type selection. To this end, the plunger is preferably of substantially channel configuration including a vertical web 98 adjacent front Wall 14 of the housing and spaced parallel side walls 99 projecting rearwardlytherefrom. The side walls 99 are vertically slotted at their lower ends as indicated at 101 to define a printing head housing 102 distally disposed relative to web 98 and a stop portion 103 proximal to the web which has a lower edge upwardly displaced from that of the head housing. A preferably channel shaped member 104 is secured transversely between the side walls 99 of the plunger with the web 106 of the cross member bridging the rear edges of slot 101 to define a front closure of the head housing. In

' addition, a cross member 107 is secured between the side walls of the plunger adjacent the lower edge of the head housing portion 102 and spaced from web 106 to define a transverse slot 108 therebetween. The cross member 107 acts as a rigid backing to a plurality of transversely spaced continuous bands 109 or loops of rubber or the like which pass therearound and through slot 108 as best shown in FIGURE 2. Each of the bands have a succession of different indicia type projecting from their exterior surfaces as indicated at 111 which may be positioned adjacent member 107. The upper ends of the band 109 pass around the toothed hubs 112 of a plurality of selector discs 113 journalled for individual rotation about a shaft H 114 extending transversely between the side walls of the plunger at a position upwardly displaced from the cross member 107. Access to the discs 113 is facilitated 'as by means of a rectangular cutout 116 which extends transversely of the web 98 of the plunger and through which peripheral portions of the discs project. In addition, a rectangular cutout 117 extends transversely of the front wall 14 of the housing 11 at a position that is registrable with cutout 116 at the lowermost limit of plunger excursion as determined by engagement of the stop portion 103 with another of the bushing 20c at the lower forward corner of housing 11 in the plunger guide channel. The opening 117 is normally closed as by means of a generally U-shaped clip slidably engageable with the housing so as to permit access to the discs. Such engagement of the bushing by the plunger stop portion corresponds to engagement of bushing 20b by the handle 48. With the discs 113 exposed through cutouts 116, 117, these discs may be individually rotated to in turn rotate the corresponding bands 109 and select type indicia 111 desired to imprint the tape beneath the cross member 107. The printing head housing 102 of the plunger may also be arranged to receive any one of a variety of interchangeable printing stamp units 118 which are releasably engageable with the head housing at a position forwardly adjacent the cross member 107. To this end the web 106 of cross member 104 is provided with a substantially central aperture 119 for facilitating snap on attachment of the stamp units 118. These stamp units preferably include a flat base 121 to which type 122 is secured. A pair of spaced resilient clips 123 extend upward from one edge of the base 121. A third clip 124 extends upward from the base intermediate clips 123 at a position spaced slightly inward from the base edge. This clip 124 has a detent 126 at its upper end for engaging the web aperture 119. Thus the clips 123, 124 may be urged upwardly over the lower edge of web 106, the clips 123 being adjacent the exterior face of the web and clip 124 being adjacent the interior face thereof. When the clips are fully engaged, the detent 126 snaps into aperture 119 to thus secure the stamp unit to the channel member 104 with the base 121 of the unit and type 122 secured thereto extending transversely across the lower end of the head housing 102 forwardly adjacent cross member 107.

In order that the selected type 111 backed by the cross member 107 and the stamp unit 118 be inked during each cycle of operation of the applicator of the present invention, an ink pad 127 is provided which engages the foregoing elements at the start of downward plunger movement. More particularly, the pad is journalled for rotation at one edge about a transverse axis between the sides 12, 13 of housing 11 with the pad projecting rearwardly from the pivot axis into close underlying relation to the plunger in its retracted position. A coil spring 128 is concentrically disposed about the pivot pin 129 of the pad with one end of the spring engaging the underside of the pad and the other end of the spring engaging a pin 131 projecting from one side of housing 11 forwardly of pivot pin 129. The spring 128 acts to normally resiliently urge the pad upwardly relative to pivot pin 129 to a horizontal rest position underlying the plunger when it is in its retracted position. At the start of downward movement of the plunger a pair of inwardly turned tabs 132 at the upper edges of the pad housing 133 and resting against the surface of the pad proper 134 are contacted by the opposite end portions of cross member 107 as shown in FIGURE 6. When the tabs 132 are thus contacted the type 11 and stamp unit 118 lightly engage the surface of the pad proper to be thereby inked. Upon further downward movement of the plunger, the pad is pivoted downwardly against the loading of spring 128 by virtue of the contact between cross member 107 and tabs 132. The pad ultimately assumes a vertical position, as shown in FIGURE 3, unobstructing to the plunger. In this position the slot 101 in the sides of the plunger housing receives the ink pad such that the plunger is not impeded thereby. When the plunger is returned to its rell tracted position, the spring 128 returns the pad to its normal horizontal position.

FIGURE 12 depicts a modified form of-printing head arrangement that may be employed in the tape segment applicator device of the present invention. In this arrangement the plunger 51 carries a consecutive numbering unit 136 of conventional design. The unit is mounted between the side walls 99 of the plunger with the consecutive numbering type characters 137 of the unit projecting from the lower end of the head housing 102. The pivotal ink pad 127 is employed in the present embodiment to ink the characters 137 in identical fashion to that previously described. When the plunger moves downwardly into contact with a tape segment to urge same into adhering contact with an underlying surface, the characters 137 imprint a number on the segment surface. During the return stroke of the plunger the unit 136 automatically advances the characters 137 to the next consecutive number. Thus upon a series of downward strokes of the plunger, the characters 137 imprint consecutive numbers on the respective applied tape segments.

Still another modified form of printing head arrangement is illustrated in FIGURE 13. This printing head facilitates multiline printing. More particularly a stamp unit 138 of similar construction to stamp unit 118 is secured to the lower end of the printing head housing 102 of the plunger. Stamp unit 138 comprises an enlarged base 139 to which a plurality of lines of type may be attached. A pair of clips 141 and a clip 142 formed with a detent 143 extend upwardly from base 139, these clips being identical to clips 123, 124 of unit 118. The clips engage the web of member 104 with detent 143 engaging the aperture 119 to secure the stamp unit 138 to the printing head housing.

It will be appreciated that all of the hereinbefore described printing head embodiments may be employed in the tape applicator device of the present invention with or without the backing base modification illustrated in FIGURES and 11, and previously described.

Referring now to FIGURES 14 and 15, still another plunger modification is illustrated which facilitates the folding of the tape segments over the edges of juxtaposed sheets to secure them together, or around wires and other cylindrical objects. In this embodiment the ink pad 127 is dispensed with and the lower end of the head housing 102 is open. A spring clip support 144 of generally pincher configuration including opposed arcuate side :arm portions 146, -147 integrally connected at their upper end and approaching each other at their lower end is secured within the housing 102 to depend from its open lower end. More specifically, the closed upper end of support 144 is secured within the housing 102 as by means of a pin 148 extending transversely between side walls 99. The side arm portions 146, 147 then depend from pin 148 with their lower ends projecting beyond the lower ,end of the housing at longitudinally spaced points. Pairs of rollers 149 of rubber or the like are journalled at the lower ends of the arms 146, 147 on the opposite transverse sides thereof. The corresponding rollers journalled to the respective arms 146, 147 are thereby resiliently urged longitudinally into contact. The support feet 94 are modified to include downwardly opening channels 151 defining transversely oriented guide slots in vertical alignment with the surfaces of contact between the rollers. In addition, the cutting blade member 52 is mounted on the plunger :such that the cutting edge 82 is positioned lower than the bottom surfaces of rollers 149.

In the operation of the embodiment just described, juxtaposed sheets 152 of [a folded mailing piece or the like to be secured together are inserted into the guide slots defined by the channels 151. The upper edges of the sheets 152 thus extend transversely across bottom opening 42 in underlying relation to the vertical con- Cir tact surface between rollers 149. Upon actuation of the handle 48, tape is fed forwardly across the bottom opening 42 in the manner described previously. The tape segment thus bridges the edges of the sheets 152. At the same time the plunger 51 is urged downward with the cutting blade member 52 first severing the tape segment from the remainder of the tape strip in the guide channel 28. Immediately thereafter the rollers 149 contact the segment to urge same downwardly. The rollers now encounter the edges of the sheets 152 and resiliently yield longitudinally to receive the sheets therebetween. In so doing, the rollers fold the tape segment over the edges of the sheets 152. By virtue of the resiliency of the spring arms 146, 147 the rollers forcefully urge the tape segment against the side faces of the sheet and into adherence therewith.

What is claimed is:

1. Tape segment applicator apparatus comprising a housing having a hand aperture therein, a manually engageable operating handle pivotally connected for rotation in said housing about a transverse axis forwardly of said aperture, said handle extending rearwardly from its pivot into said aperture and movable about the pivot between lowered and raised positions within the aperture, a plunger mounted for vertical reciprocation within said housing forwardly of said pivot, said handle having an integral rigid extension positioned forwardly of said pivot and having the distal end thereof overlying said plunger, a link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to said extension and at the other end to said plunger for moving the plunger downwardly in response to raising of the handle and moving the plunger upwardly in response to lowering of the handle, and means carried by said housing and coupled to said handle for feeding tape into the path of said plunger in response to raising of the handle.

2. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by said plunger carrying a printing head at its lower end, said head including downwardly projecting type, a type inking pad normally underlying said type and engageable by the latter upon initial downward movement of said head, and means operatively connecting said pad to said plunger for rotating said pad out of the path of movement of said plunger upon further downward movement of said head.

3. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by said plunger carrying a printing head including a plurality of continuous loop bands having successions of varied indicia type projecting therefrom, means for selectively moving said bands to displace the type thereof relative to an operable printing position at the lower end of said plunger, and an ink pad pivotally carried by said housing engaging said type upon downward movement of said plunger.

4. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by said plunger carrying a printing head and tape severing knife at its lower end, said printing head comprising spaced side walls secured to said plunger, a backing member secured between the lower ends of said side walls, a plurality of selector discs journalled for individual rotation about an axis between said side walls and spaced from said backing member, and a plurality of continuous loop bands extending around said backing member and coupled in driven relation to respective ones of said discs, each said bands having a succession of different indicia type projecting from its exterior surface.

5. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by longitudinally spaced segment applicator members depending from said plunger and spring loaded towards each other at their lower ends, and a cutting knife member depending from said plunger and having a cutting edge disposed in downwardly spaced relation to said lower ends of said applicator members.

6. Tape segment applicator apparatus comprising a housing having a hand aperture therein, an operating handle pivotally connected for rotation in said housing about a transverse axis forwardly of said aperture, said handle extending rearwardly from its pivot into said aperture and movable therein about the pivot between lowered and raised positions, a feeder linkage assembly including a ratchet actuating arm secured to said handle and depending therefrom at a point rearwardly displaced from said pivot, said ratchet arm formed with a tooth, an actuating gear assembly journalled for rotation within said housing about a transverse axis, said gear assembly including a ratchet wheel portion and a gear portion, means carried within said housing for spring loading said arm and normally urging said tooth into engagement with said ratchet wheel portion, a drive roll mounted for rotation within said housing about a transverse axis, a gear fixed to said drive roll and engaging said gear portion of said actuating gear assembly, means carried by said housing for guiding pressure sensitive adhesive tape to said drive roll, and a reciprocable plunger disposed within said housing forwardly of said drive roll and pivotally and responsively coupled to said handle for movement, said drive roll adapted to feed said tape into the path of said plunger.

7. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 6, further defined by said handle having an integral lever extension projecting forwardly of said pivot, and a link arm pivotally connected to the end of said extension and depending therefrom into pivotal connection with said plunger.

8. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 6, further defined by a printing head carried by said plunger, said printing head including a plurality of continuous loop bands having successions of varied indicia type projecting therefrom and means for selectively moving said bands to displace the type thereof relative to an operable printing position at the lower end of said plunger, and a tape severing member depending from said plunger and having a cutting edge rearwardly and upwardly disposed relative to said printing position.

9. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 6, further defined by a printing head backing plate releasably secured to the lower end of said plunger, type secured to the underside of said plate and projecting therefrom, and a tape severing member depending from said plunger and having a cutting edge rearwardly and upward- 1y disposed relative to the bottom surface of said type.

10. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 6, further defined by a consecutive numbering unit carried by said plunger, said unit having type disposed to project from the lower end of said plunger, and a tape severing member depending from said plunger and having a cutting edge rearwardly and upwardly disposed relative to the bottom surface of said type.

11. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 6, further defined by longitudinally spaced segment applicator members depending from said plunger and spring loaded towards each other longitudinally at their lower ends, and a tape severing member depending from said plunger and having a cutting edge rearwardly and downwardly disposed relative to said lower ends of said applicator members.

12. Tape segment applicator apparatus comprising a housing, an operating handle pivotally connected to said housing and extending rearwardly into a hand grip aperture therein, said handle movable about its pivot between lowered and raised positions, a guide channel disposed in closing relation to the lower end of said housing and removably secured thereto, said channel terminating short of the forward end of said housing to define a bottom opening therebet-ween, means for guiding tape through said channel, a drive roll mounted in said housing for rotation about a transverse axis adjacent the forward end of said channel, said drive roll adapted to engage tape in said channel, an upstanding strip extending transversely across the forward end of said channel with its upper edge defining a fixed cutting blade, a resilient yoke secured to the bottom of said channel at a position rearwardly displaced from its forward end, said yoke extending forwardly from its position of attachment with its free end adjacent said strip, said yoke having a forwardly disposed aperture defining a leading transverse edge strip adjacent said upstanding strip and between longitudinally side strips, said leading strip having a rearwardly projecting tongue parallel to and inwardly spaced from said side strips, feed rollers mounted between said side strips and tongue for rotation about a transverse axis, said feed rollers underlying said drive roll to urge tape in said channel thereagainst, means coupling said drive roll to said handle to rotate the former in a direction to feed tape in said channel forwardly into said bottom opening in response to movement of the latter, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said housing along a path through said bottom opening, means coupling said plunger to said handle for responsive movement therewith, and a knife blade secured to said plunger, said knife blade being engageable with said strip.

13. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 12, further defined by said upstanding strip having upwardly projecting ears at the opposite ends of said fixed cutting edge, said ears rearwardly inclined, and said knife blade comprising a resilient leaf depending from said plunger and having a downwardly and rearwardly inclined lower transverse portion, said lower transverse portion having a lower transversely inclined cutting edge engageable with said ears upon downward movement of said plunger.

14. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 12, further defined by said means coupling said drive roll to said handle including a ratchet, and said means coupling said plunger to said handle including a lever extension of said handle projecting forwardly of said pivot and connected to said plunger.

15. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 14, further defined by said plunger carrying printing head means including type projecting from the lower end of the plunger, and an ink pad pivotally mounted at one of its edges within said housing in underlying relation to said plunger when said plunger is in a retracted position within said housing corresponding to said handle being in its lowered position, said ink pad spring loaded for upward pivotal movement to a normal horizontal position engageable with said type.

16. Tape segment applicator apparatus according to claim 14, further defined by a pair of longitudinally spaced support arms depending from said plunger and approaching each other at their lower ends, said arms spring loaded to normally urge their lower ends together, and rollers journalled at the lower ends of said arms for rotation about transverse axes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,984 8/1928 Lessmann 156-517 2,441,821 5/1948 Kendall 156530 2,506,504 5/1950 Hudson 154 2,634,877 5/1953 Kaplan 156523 2,663,444 12/1953 Kaplan 156-523 2,764,934 10/1956 Kaplan 1 56-521 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner. 

1. TAPE SEGMENT APPLICATOR APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A HAND APERTURE THEREIN, A MANUALLY ENGAGEABLE OPERATING HANDLE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED FOR ROTATION IN SAID HOUSING ABOUT A TRANSVERSE AXIS FORWARDLY OF SAID APERTURE, SAID HANDLE EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM ITS PIVOT INTO SAID APERTURE AND MOVABLE ABOUT THE PIVOT BETWEEN LOWERED AND RAISED POSITIONS WITHIN THE APERTURE, A PLUNGER MOUNTED FOR VERTICAL RECIPROCATION WITHIN SAID HOUSING FORWARDLY OF SAID PIVOT, SAID HANDLE HAVING AN INTEGRAL RIGID EXTENSION POSITIONED FORWARDLY OF SAID PIVOT AND HAVING THE DISTAL END THEREOF OVERLYING SAID PLUNGER, A LINK MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID EXTENSION AND AT THE OTHER END TO SAID PLUNGER FOR MOVING THE PLUNGER DOWNWARDLY IN RESPONSE TO RAISING OF THE HANDLE AND MOVING THE PLUNGER UPWARDLY IN RESPONSE TO LOWERING OF THE HANDLE, AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAID HOUSING AND COUPLED TO SAID HANDLE FOR FEEDING TAPE INTO THE PATH OF SAID PLUNGER IN RESPONSE TO RAISING OF THE HANDLE. 